All the attention's on Orb

Kentucky Derby winner set for an attempt to extend talk of a Triple Crown a bit longer

By Tim Wilkin

Updated 6:26 am, Saturday, May 18, 2013

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Trainer D. Wayne Lukas takes Will Take Charge to the track this morning May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds which will be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas takes Will Take Charge to the track this morning May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds which will be held at the Pimlico Race Course in ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a mouthful of grass while grazing this morning with regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson holding on to the lead shank May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a mouthful of grass while grazing this morning with regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson holding on to the lead shank May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Itsmyluckyday's trainer Edie Plesa is deep in thought as he goes to the track early May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Itsmyluckyday's trainer Edie Plesa is deep in thought as he goes to the track early May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the Pimlico Race Course in ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Trainer D. Wayne Lukas returns Preakness combatant Oxbow, left, back to the barn after his morning exercise May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas returns Preakness combatant Oxbow, left, back to the barn after his morning exercise May 17, 2013 the day before the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has his game face on May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. Lukas will field three challengers to Orb's quest for the Triple Crown. Will Take Charge, Oxbow and Titletown Nine. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has his game face on May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. Lukas will ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Kentucky Derby winner Orb, left, with regular exercise rider regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson in the saddle returns to the barn after his morning exercise May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds which will be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. Ana Martinovsky rides the pony to the right. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Kentucky Derby winner Orb, left, with regular exercise rider regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson in the saddle returns to the barn after his morning exercise May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Shug McGuaghey, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Orb walks back to the barn after watching his charge's morning exercise May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Shug McGuaghey, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Orb walks back to the barn after watching his charge's morning exercise May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Departing heads back to the barn after his morning work May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds which will be held at the Pimlico Race Course Saturday in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Departing heads back to the barn after his morning work May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds which will be held at the Pimlico Race Course Saturday ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Shug McGaughey works on his Kentucky Derby winner Orb this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Shug McGaughey works on his Kentucky Derby winner Orb this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Departing gets his bath May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Departing gets his bath May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a bath this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a bath this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Departing gets his bath this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Departing gets his bath this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Departing looks out over the flowers this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Departing looks out over the flowers this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Departing's Trainer Al Stall speaks to the media May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Departing's Trainer Al Stall speaks to the media May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a friendly pat on the head from his regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a friendly pat on the head from his regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a friendly pat on the head from his regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of the Triple Crown for thoroughbreds to be held Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Kentucky Derby winner Orb gets a friendly pat on the head from his regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson this morning after his exercise period May 17, 2013 the day before the Preakness the second jewel of ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 17: Trainer Shug McGaughey walks off the track after Kentucky Derby winner Orb galloped in the morning workout in preparation for the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) less

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 17: Trainer Shug McGaughey walks off the track after Kentucky Derby winner Orb galloped in the morning workout in preparation for the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May ... more

Photo: Matthew Stockman

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All the attention's on Orb

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Baltimore

Sports talk in Charm City centers around two things: It's either the baseball Orioles or the football Ravens. However, for the past few days, talk about Joe Flacco's arm and Adam Jones' batting average has stopped, at least a little bit.

The airwaves and newspapers have focused on the thoroughbred named Orb, who is on the cusp of becoming a national celebrity. The 3-year-old colt, coming off a dominant win in the Kentucky Derby on May 4, will look to duplicate that performance in the 138th running of the $1 million, Grade I Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.

Orb's appearance has Pimlico officials thinking that last year's record crowd of 121,309 could be broken. The weather might have to cooperate. The forecast calls for highs in the low 70s and a 50 percent chance of light rain.

"Orb is a freak," said Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who will try to beat the colt with Govenor Charlie. "Right now, everyone should be rooting for Orb, except the connections of the other horses. Anyone not rooting for Orb, there is something mentally wrong with them."

Orb has won his past five starts, including the Derby win by 21/2 lengths.

More Information

Race day

When: 6:20 p.m. Saturday

Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore

TV: Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network

He comes to the 13/16-mile Preakness — which is a sixteenth of a mile shorter than the Kentucky Derby — as the even-money, morning-line favorite.

If he is able to turn back the other eight horses, he will head to New York with a chance to become the sport's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

"I try to block that out," said Shug McGaughey, Orb's 62-year-old Hall of Fame trainer. "But, obviously, when you are in this position, anybody would think about it. It's a thrilling thought."

Orb overcame sloppy track conditions at Churchill Downs and the way he ran, it looked like the other horses were standing still.

"That was no fluke," said trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who will saddle three horses in the Preakness. "You have to give him all the credit in the world. He can start (in the Preakness) in the infield or the grandstand, I still think he is the best horse."

Every day this week, the crowd at the Preakness Stakes Barn got bigger and bigger.

Besides the throng of media — and there are nearly 1,700 writers, broadcasters and photographers here — people of all ages have found their way to the Pimlico barn area on early mornings to get a glimpse of the muscular horse.

McGaughey said Orb has bounced out of his Derby win looking like he hadn't run at all in the demanding 11/4 miles. That's a good sign.

"I think there is more there," McGaughey said. "The one thing that has really surprised me is how well he has come out of his races, not only mentally but physically. I see a different horse than I saw a week ago or two weeks ago."

That's bad news for the rest of the field.

The only potential bad news for Orb could be that he will start from the rail, post position No. 1. Since 1961, there has been just one horse (Tabasco Cat in 1994) to win the race from that post. McGaughey doesn't think it will be a big problem for his horse, who will drop back anyway to gear up for his late run.

"He is the kind of horse you can do anything with," said jockey Joel Rosario, who will ride Orb.

Five of the nine runners trying to beat Orb lost to him in the Kentucky Derby. Mylute (5th, beaten 33/4 lengths), Oxbow (6th, 93/4), Will Take Charge (8th, 121/4), Itsmyluckyday (15th, 221/4) and Goldencents (17th, 491/2).

Mylute, who will be ridden by Rosie Napravnik, is the 5-1 second choice.

The newcomers to the Triple Crown party include the Al Stall-trained Departing, who won the Illinois Derby in his latest start (April 20) and has won four of five career starts.

But he has yet to face the powerful Orb.

"Shug has a target on his back," said Stall, who upset the undefeated Zenyatta with Blame in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.